This seemed to be a promising mystery. It seemed to feature a plucky heroine and an interesting mystery set in Paris. However, Kiki was not a likable character. She was not smart and mostly selfish. She did not care about the mystery, but was in it to have casual dalliances. This was not the heroine that I was promised! The plot also mooved at a slow pace. Since this is the first book in the series, I hope the sequel makes a vast improvement,

3.75 stars

This debut series mystery features Kiki Button, an Australian free spirit who winds up in Paris after her nursing stint in World War I. The book exudes atmosphere, and is very evocative of the Bohemian post-war malaise, and the artistic and sexual freedom of that time. A few actual historic figures make an appearance, notably Pablo Picasso.

Kiki is an interesting character. The entire cast, as you would expect in 1921 Europe, is haunted and shaped by the Great War and their experiences. They drink and love and have madcapentures to escape, but the war is always looking over their shoulders.

The plot does become somewhat obscure at time, consciously I thought, to echo the confusion of the times. Kiki's relationships are confusing, and she is indebted to a spymaster who calls in favors from time to time. She also becomes embroiled in a detective case of sorts for Picasso. The storyline takes a back seat to the general atmosphere and setting and they are the meat for this novel. A fascinating glimpse into a unique time in history and culture.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Who would not want to experience Paris in 1921? After the great war and the gaiety and freedom of drink and morals, may would.

Kiki Button, a former WWI nurse, finds herself as a gossip columnist and more. There is much fodder for her new profession from socialites to Picasso. There is more jumping in bed with whomever than fully fleshing out her job as a columnist.

Kiki had been enjoying the bohemian life of Paris in the 20's when she is lured back to spying/detective work by the mysterious Fox. That character came across as a stalker and not much credibility. Maybe the mysterious aspect was lost on me. It seemed like he knew who the mole was and made Kiki go on a goose chase.

April in Paris, 1921, is well written but dragged on a bit. How much partying, drinking, and sex really supported her writing job and cover as a spy? I would have preferred to see how the intrigue was developed as well as supporting characters . As this is titled as #1 in a mystery series, I would give #2 a go to see if the author develops the plot and characters better.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for my personal opinion.

"Kiki Button―war veteran, party girl, detective, and spy―finds that she can’t outrun her past exploits, even in the glittering world of Jazz Age Paris.

Paris in 1921 is the city of freedom, where hatless and footloose Kiki Button can drink champagne and dance until dawn. She works as a gossip columnist, partying with the rich and famous, the bohemian and strange, using every moment to create a new woman from the ashes of her war-worn self.

While on the modelling dais, Picasso gives her a job: to find his wife’s portrait, which has gone mysteriously missing. That same night, her spymaster from the war contacts her―she has to find a double agent or face jail. Through parties, whisky, and seductive informants, Kiki uses her knowledge of Paris from the Great War to connect the clues.

Set over the course of one springtime week, April in Paris, 1921 is a mystery that combines artistic gossip with interwar political history through witty banter, steamy scenes, and fast action."

Who wouldn't pick up a story with a heroine whose name is Kiki Button? Personally, I don't want to know that person.

Kiki Button, a former nurse and spy during WWI, is now a gossip columnist in post-war bohemian Paris who just wants to drown the memories of war with parties, booze, jazz, and sex... except her past isn't finished with her.

It sounds a little more exciting than it is. The majority of the first half of the book is primarily about Kiki hob-nobbing with the rich and famous, which is, to say the least, a bit boring. I understand it's setting the stage for the second half, but it's still boring. The author tries to keep things intriguing with sex scenes (though not very explicit) and constantly mentioning the mysterious and dangerous "Fox" character from Kiki's past and his poetically cryptic clues about finding a mole, but it fails to be quite as compelling as it's supposed to be, probably because he comes off more as creepy and stalker-ish than fascinating.

That said, it is well written with witty dialogue, and the characters do have well formed back stories. The second half was much more interesting and finally felt like there was a plot, but by that point I just wasn't hugely invested in it.

Advanced review copy from publisher via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

April in Paris, 1921 -Book Review
APRIL 9, 2018 / SHEREADSREVIEWS / EDIT
Amazon affiliate links used.

April in Paris, 1921: A Kiki Button Mystery by [Lunney, Tessa]

Kiki Button—war veteran, party girl, detective, and spy—finds that she can’t outrun her past exploits, even in the glittering world of Jazz Age Paris.
Paris in 1921 is the city of freedom, where hatless and footloose Kiki Button can drink champagne and dance until dawn. She works as a gossip columnist, partying with the rich and famous, the bohemian and strange, using every moment to create a new woman from the ashes of her war-worn self.

While on the modelling dais, Picasso gives her a job: to find his wife’s portrait, which has gone mysteriously missing. That same night, her spymaster from the war contacts her—she has to find a double agent or face jail. Through parties, whisky, and seductive informants, Kiki uses her knowledge of Paris from the Great War to connect the clues.

Set over the course of one springtime week, April in Paris, 1921 is a mystery that combines artistic gossip with interwar political history through witty banter, steamy scenes, and fast action.

My Thoughts:

The Roaring Twenties? In Paris? With mystery? and PICASSO?! I’m so there. This was an incredible read and so unique! I mean, seriously, who would have thought of a story like this?! Get this book.

About the Author:

Tessa Lunney is an emerging talent on the Australian literary scene who has recently won a number of our major short fiction awards. She has had her fiction, poetry, and reviews published in Southerly, Mascara, and Contrapasso, among others, as well as Best Australian Poems 2014. She lives in Sydney, Australia.

Editorial Reviews
Review
“Fascinating characters, beautifully written.”
– Kate Williams, New York Times bestselling author of ‘Becoming Queen Victoria’
“Tessa Lunney brilliantly evokes the Années folles of the Roaring Twenties as her heroine―an Australian debutant-turned-nurse-turned-spy―Kiki Button traipses through Paris’s sensual bohemian culture hunting for a World War I mole and stolen Pablo Picasso painting.”
– Julie McElwain, author of ‘A Murder in Time’ and ‘A Twist in Time’

“An irresistible debut! Adventurous and whip-smart, Kiki Button is Jazz Age Paris’s most dazzling ex-pat.”
– David Krugler, author of ‘The Dead Don’t Bleed’

“Liberated from her wartime duties as a nurse, Kiki Button, Tessa Lunney’s main character of her debut April in Paris, 1921, is a gossip columnist-cum-detective who finds herself mixed up in a mystery set against the backdrop of post-WWI Paris. Lunney takes the reader on a breathless, page-turning journey through cafes, streets, and dark alleys of this Bohemian time period, searching for a stolen piece of art. Kiki, who is charming, self-possessed, and sexually free, is readable and fun, a modern woman blazing though the Années folles no holds barred.”
– John Copenhaver, author of ‘Dodging and Burning’



April in Paris, 1921: A Kiki Button Mystery by [Lunney, Tessa]

I was given this book in exchange for my honest review from Netgalley. All opinions stated above are my own.

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Occasionally, so

This is a very quick and breezy read. In the beginning, Kiki Button appears to be just a superficial party girl, very free with her sexual favors. A few layers were peeled back as the story progressed, showing that she has more depth to her after all, including a history as a wartime nurse - and spy. I very much enjoyed the look at the café society in Paris as the city recovers from the war, and society as a whole during that time period. I could have done entirely without the menage a trois in Chapter 3, and the now seemingly required gay friend. Couldn't it just have been a friend? Why force the point? Overall though, I enjoyed it enough I will probably check out Book 2 - I do love historical fiction and period pieces, and there is great potential here for a wonderful series. Many thanks to NetGalley and Pegasus Books for the e-arc. 3.5 stars.

I'm probably in the minority here but this book just did not engage me at all. It was confusing, most of Kiki's interactions with her many love interests felt forced. If this is a series, I don't think it's one I'll follow.